Protective Factors and Working with Students Involved in Bullying: Commentary on the Special Issue and Dedication to Dan Olweus

This special issue advances our understanding of protective factors within the complex interactions between an individual and other systems within the child’s life. In this commentary, we describe the contributions of Dr. Dan Olweus to the field of bullying prevention. From a social-ecological perspective, there are several individual-level characteristics (e.g., cognitive appraisals, empathy, mindset, and attitudes) that protect individuals from the negative impact of bullying. Studies also examined the role of parents, teachers, and friends, as well as the importance of school engagement. Multiple systems-levels factors, particularly help-seeking and access to counseling, were found to be protective across studies. Studies in the special issue represent research from across the globe including from Canada, Chile, China, Cyprus, India, South Korea, and Singapore. Directions for future research to further elucidate protective factors are provided.